How bad does cheer competition make parks in early May?

[amss14]

I booked the first week of May with lots of crowd predictions saying low. I just found out a cheer competition will be going on at ESPN center.
Anyone had any experience and how bad does it normally affect the parks?
Thanks!

 

[Robo]

The parks are viritually unaffected during the daytime.
That's when they are having the competitions.

 

[amss14]

The parks are viritually unaffected during the daytime.
That's when they are having the competitions.

Whew!! Got nervous for a minute! Thanks robo!

 

[wilkeliza]

While the parks are mostly unaffected your hotel stay my be. Depending on the kids each year it can seem like the worst times to travel with any common area being used as practice space and loud/rude kids through out and then the next year you don't even realize they are there. It is really up to the kids and chaperones.

 

[amss14]

While the parks are mostly unaffected your hotel stay my be. Depending on the kids each year it can seem like the worst times to travel with any common area being used as practice space and loud/rude kids through out and then the next year you don't even realize they are there. It is really up to the kids and chaperones.

Thanks! Staying at POR. Is that a typical place for them to stay/ practice?

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks! Staying at POR. Is that a typical place for them to stay/ practice?

Not 100% sure. With the construction at CBR and CSR I can't say for sure. I'm sure few stay at the mods because it costs them more. It is usually worst at the values especially the All Stars.

 

[akaDaddy]

You shouldn't notice significant increases in crowds at the parks due to the cheer competition.

If you happen to be at one of the host resorts, it will either be quiet or crowded...they travel in packs you know.

The real issue isn't the crowds, it's the noise....
We got spirit,
Yes we do,
We got spirit,
How 'bout YOU!

Over and over, loud and proud. It was like an aroused tomcat was screaming while scratching his claws on a chalkboard.

 

[Pixie Princess]

I have a niece who has participated at various cheer events at WDW including the one at the beginning of May. As a devoted Aunt, I, of course, went to these events to cheer my niece on.

These competitions take a good chunk of the competitor's day, and some gyms even prohibit their kids from going to the parks prior to competing. I found that the evenings tended to be more crowded than one would expect for this time of year, but it was completely manageable. In fact, the last event we went to (2yrs ago) my niece and her teammates were able to manage several late night rides on 7DMT with little wait. Note, there is also usually a dance competition going on as well. Last time we attended the dancers competed over at Epcot, so there were groups of dancers milling around that park during the competition hours. In the past, the organizers have held a party at DHS on the last night of the competition. Not sure if that will still be happening considering the construction. DHS will close early if so.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Thanks! Staying at POR. Is that a typical place for them to stay/ practice?

Coming from a year of my daughter doing competition, if a cheerleader and her family decides to stay at a moderate to be more comfortable or whatever reason, she would still need to go to the hotel where the coach has the bulk of them staying or rooms blocked out for. Sure a few can get together to hang out/practice at the POR, but it wouldn't be anything like a hotel takeover when the whole team is there.

 

[Pixie Princess]

FYI- I took a look at the travel packages offered by the competition organizer. CSR is the mod resort choice for teams wishing to book a travel package through the competition organizer. It is also the location of the dance competition.

 

[EinHoden]

We went in the first week of May '14 and didn't notice any impact, but I'm not sure if they had the competition the same time then. We had always gone in Sept, and what we did notice was a lot of large groups. Overall crowd levels were low-moderate, but the large groups (100+ people in some) moving around in packs did make it difficult to move around at times, but they were usually short lived until the mob moved on.

We are going the second week of May this year and I'd still rather deal with localized short-term intense crowds than overall general high crowd levels.

 

[gap2368]

I go every year ( for my Bday trip) during this time of year the first year I went they were not that bad. I did see them in the parks ( but when is there not some type of tour group in the park these days) and they were not that bad at my hotel ( stayed at one of the all stars or POP ) but last year it was horrific so much so that Disney Paid for me to move to AKL for the rest of my vacation

Hoping the camp site/ pop will be better this year

 

[Mom2Stitch]

FYI- I took a look at the travel packages offered by the competition organizer. CSR is the mod resort choice for teams wishing to book a travel package through the competition organizer. It is also the location of the dance competition.

Of course since that's where we are staying, lol. ...what dates will the competitions be? We are there 5/8-5/15

 

[Nichellebelle]

We go have gone every year in early May since 2008 (our anniversary) and for the last 2 or 3 years the crowds have been horrible! It used to be a very relaxing time but no more. Even the wait times for IASWA were insane!! We could always walk on Haunted Mansion and that now has wait times of 40 min mid-morning. That being said, the weather was perfect and a crowded day at Disney is still better than one at home! We just stepped up our game plan and have adapted so that we are there at opening and leave mid-day. I don't know that there is a slow time any more. Hope this helps.

 

[WEDWDW]

Of course since that's where we are staying, lol. ...what dates will the competitions be? We are there 5/8-5/15

You'll be there for some of The Summit and also D2 Summit-basically there will be Cheerleaders/Dancers on property for your whole trip-CSR will probably have most,if not all,Dancers since the Dance Competitions are moving from World ShowPlace to CSR this year.

 

[gap2368]

when is cheer commotion this year? is it the lest week of April again

 

[wilkeliza]

when is cheer commotion this year? is it the lest week of April again

Pretty much end of april until end of may. Each week has a different competition company.

 

[DisBabe94]

I go every year ( for my Bday trip) during this time of year the first year I went they were not that bad. I did see them in the parks ( but when is there not some type of tour group in the park these days) and they were not that bad at my hotel ( stayed at one of the all stars or POP ) but last year it was horrific so much so that Disney Paid for me to move to AKL for the rest of my vacation

Hoping the camp site/ pop will be better this year

Wow too bad about the cheerleaders but hey, you got to stay at AKL!!!

What were they doing? Just general boisterousness and cheerleading practices into the night?

 

[Mom2Stitch]

You'll be there for some of The Summit and also D2 Summit-basically there will be Cheerleaders/Dancers on property for your whole trip-CSR will probably have most,if not all,Dancers since the Dance Competitions are moving from World ShowPlace to CSR this year.

That would explain why when we decided to add a couple of days we had to choose water view over standard. I'm hoping it will still be peaceful. Last year in Feb we were there during a very large convention of hair dressers and the place was horrible.

 

[amss14]

You shouldn't notice significant increases in crowds at the parks due to the cheer competition.

If you happen to be at one of the host resorts, it will either be quiet or crowded...they travel in packs you know.

The real issue isn't the crowds, it's the noise....
We got spirit,
Yes we do,
We got spirit,
How 'bout YOU!

Over and over, loud and proud. It was like an aroused tomcat was screaming while scratching his claws on a chalkboard.

.